Incident Involving Horse Shooting in Graham County

The Graham County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 31-year-old Jesus Manuel Ramos following an incident where a horse was reportedly shot and killed.

On March 15, around 8:18 PM, the Graham County Communications Center got a report about a man, referred to as “Jesramos,” who shot a horse. Witnesses indicated that after shooting the horse, he drove away in a silver or gray Jeep, heading towards Thatcher, Arizona. The incident took place at a location on W. US Highway 70.

When law enforcement arrived, they found that the horse had indeed been shot dead. They also discovered shell casings and other evidence at the site and noticed damage to a vehicle from gunfire. At the time, there were people inside the structure where the shooting occurred.

Witness testimonies described the suspect firing a handgun at the horse. The identification of Jesus Manuel Ramos, who lives near a “stadium” close to the Thatcher Police Station, was reported to the authorities. Following the incident, there were suggestions that Ramos might be hiding near a river in Thatcher.

By 8:34 PM, law enforcement was on the lookout for vehicles around the river area. Moments later, an officer reported a silver Jeep arriving at a house on Stadium Avenue, noting a man entering the residence. Officers quickly responded to that location.

Subsequently, another vehicle left the residence and stopped at a nearby ballpark. The driver, an adult woman, informed the police that she had visited a woman named “Ashley” and her boyfriend. She then identified a photograph of Jesus Manuel Ramos as the man she had seen inside.

Around 9:23 PM, a man was seen exiting the back of the residence and moving toward the garden’s southeastern corner. At approximately 9:24 PM, authorities spotted a person in a red shirt and dark pants matching the suspect’s description.

By 9:29 PM, officials located two handguns at the base of a tree in the garden. Upon further investigation, it became clear that the occupants of the residence did not actually live there. Jesus Ramos had only visited briefly. The Jeep was linked back to him as well.

In total, over 20 spent shell casings and other evidence related to the shooting were collected. A search warrant was executed at the residence on Stadium Avenue, where two handguns and other items were seized.

Jesus Manuel Ramos faces several serious charges, including the shooting of the horse and other felonies. The investigation is ongoing due to the serious nature of the incident.

The Graham County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the Sufford, Thatcher, and Pima Police Departments for their assistance during the incident.